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Description

Rediscover the legendary fuzz sounds of the '60s with the Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII. This iconic fuzz pedal is revered for its authentic vintage Germanium transistors, delivering the classic warm and gritty tones that defined an era of rock music. Originally crafted in the UK, the Tone Bender MKII remains a staple for guitarists seeking that raw, unfiltered sound that cuts through the mix with authority.

Housed in a durable enclosure, the Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII is a faithful reproduction of the original, ensuring that each note you play is infused with the same character and charm found on countless classic recordings. Its intuitive design features simple controls, allowing you to effortlessly dial in your desired level of fuzz and sustain. Whether you're aiming to replicate the sounds of your favorite classic rock legends or forging your own path with a unique sonic signature, this pedal is an essential addition to any guitarist's setup.

Key Features:

  • Authentic vintage Germanium transistors for warm, gritty tones
  • Faithful reproduction of the iconic 1960s design
  • Simple control layout for easy adjustment of fuzz and sustain levels
  • Durable construction for reliable performance in any setting
  • Revered by professional musicians for its distinctive sound signature
That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show

Tone Bender Special With JHS Josh & Anthony Macari – That Pedal Show

Video thumbnail for Tone Bender Special With JHS Josh & Anthony Macari – That Pedal Show by That Pedal Show

Tone Bender Special With JHS Josh & Anthony Macari – That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show

That Pedal Show

Video thumbnail for Sola Sound Professional MKII Tone Bender tonebender by pinstripedclips

Sola Sound Professional MKII Tone Bender tonebender

pinstripedclips

pinstripedclips

Video thumbnail for SOLA SOUND Ltd  Tone Bender Professional MK II by Nick Sterling

SOLA SOUND Ltd Tone Bender Professional MK II

Nick Sterling

Nick Sterling

Video thumbnail for Tone Bender MKII Sola Sound Professional MKII tonebender by pinstripedclips

Tone Bender MKII Sola Sound Professional MKII tonebender

pinstripedclips

pinstripedclips

Video thumbnail for Tone Bender MKII Sola Sound Professional MKII tonebender by pinstripedclips

Tone Bender MKII Sola Sound Professional MKII tonebender

pinstripedclips

pinstripedclips

Video thumbnail for Tone Bender, review of one of the ultimate and sought-after Fuzz pedals by La Chaîne Guitare

Tone Bender, review of one of the ultimate and sought-after Fuzz pedals

La Chaîne Guitare

La Chaîne Guitare

Video thumbnail for 1966 Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII by Nick Sternberg

1966 Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII

Nick Sternberg

Nick Sternberg

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII.

Features and functionality

  • The MKII Hybrid uses a combination of 2 silicon and 1 germanium transistors, offering a unique tonal blend that retains traditional Tone Bender qualities.

    Source
  • The hybrid MKII is capable of producing a wide gain range, from "Satisfaction" style sounds to full-on sludge metal, with impressive low gain tones for soloing.

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  • The pedal offers excellent volume clean-up, achieving a clean sound by simply rolling off the volume knob, comparable to traditional germanium fuzz.

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  • The footswitch is positioned away from the knobs, which may help prevent accidental adjustments during use.

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Use cases and applications

  • Owners note that the MKII Hybrid can clean up effectively by rolling off the volume, similar to classic germanium fuzz pedals.

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  • The MKII Hybrid has been described as having a "B-52's" sound, indicating its suitability for creating retro, surf-inspired tones.

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  • This pedal excels in versatility by effectively handling both humbuckers and single coils, providing a nice overdrive tone with humbuckers when the volume is lowered.

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  • It is noted as an essential tool for collectors and those searching for a unique, historical tone, rather than just casual players.

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Comparisons

  • It's noted that the MKII Hybrid maintains the same basic design as the original Vox Tone Bender, suggesting a preservation of its vintage character.

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User experience

  • Owners appreciate the pedal's robust build, described as feeling "like an absolute tank."

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  • Despite its high price, owners express that it is worth the investment for its unique sound and historical significance.

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Build quality

  • The "hammered finish" of the pedal is notably textured, offering a unique tactile and visual appeal that surprised some users who assumed it was a sponge paint job.

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  • The pedal is described as being roughly the size of a child's shoebox, suggesting a substantial and robust build.

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Value and pricing

  • Used models can cost around $650, with new ones from Macaris priced at approximately $620, but there is a two-year waiting list for new units.

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Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 2 Reviews and 11 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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2 star
1 star
jimmarchi1

heavy, gnarly, fun

I love the Sola MK2 professional. It does a great Page thing, cleans up well with your volume control without changing its frequency response AND has the best and smoothest sustain for leads of any 3 transistor, 2 control fuzz pedal I know of. I sold mine for a mint. I miss it a lot. The treble can get out of control though, so if you don't like a toppy sound or have a crazy bright amp then get a MK3 or Burns Buzzaround (or clones thereof).

Most vintage MK2 Pros sound uniformly excellent though there is a lil variation in what sort of excellence they give you. These pedals are valuable and collectable but were made in massive quantities so you can find them. If you want to spend less, there are lots of great clones out there. I was quite impressed with the MJM Brit Bender, though DAM makes the most accurate recreation if you wanna spend a lot.

skylinerr

narley

great fuzz sound vintagey good for the classic rock

Genres:

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jimmy Page uses Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII

Jimmy Page

Guitarist

Led Zeppelin

...
Verified via Photo

In this picture of Page with the final line up of the Yardbirds you can see his Tonebender Professional MII. See also this shot with Zep:

http://www.bigmuffpage.com/images/Tonebender%20Images/Screaming%20Lord%20Such_May%201969_TB.jpg

and this informative article on the history of the Bender family of fuzzes with a healthy dose of 'ol Pagey interspersed: http://www.bigmuffpage.com/The_Tonebender_Timeline_4.html

See how Eric Clapton uses Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII

Eric Clapton

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Premierguitar

"The various iterations of the Tone Bender have had many circuit configurations, but it’s best known as a three-transistor germanium design, typified by the Professional MKII. This is the pedal associated with Jimmy Page during the early days of Led Zeppelin, and was a key component of Eric Clapton’s “Woman Tone” on the Disraeli Gears album by Cream." According to writer Tom Hughes, author of Analog Man’s Guide To Vintage Effects

See how Billy Corgan uses Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII

Billy Corgan

Singer, Guitarist

The Smashing Pumpkins

...
Verified via YouTube

At around 0:58 minute ark, Corgan shows the Sola Tone Bender pedal, which he calls "an original one".

See how Joe Satriani uses Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII

Joe Satriani

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via GuitarPlayer.com

Used on “Thunder High on the Mountain”, as written in Satriani’s personal notebook.

Main Guitar: JS25ART #47, Sola Sound/Colorsound Tone Bender Pro MKII, Digi-Tech Whammy, Marshall JVM410HJS

See how Ritchie Blackmore uses Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII

Ritchie Blackmore

Guitarist

Deep Purple

...
Verified via Guitar Lobby

''Blackmore used the Sola Sound Tone Bender pedal for recording and touring during his first couple of years in Deep Purple. You can hear this pedal throughout the first three Deep Purple albums. Sola Sound Professional MK II Tone Bender was first designed in 1964 and it was based on the Gibson Maestro Fuzz-Tone.''

See how Syd Barrett uses Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII

Syd Barrett

Keyboardist, Composer

Pink Floyd

...
Verified via Photo

The pedal is seen in this photo at the Games for May rehearsal.

See how Mauricio Durán uses Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII

Mauricio Durán

Singer, Guitarist

Los Bunkers

...
Verified via Instagram

In a video posted by losbunkersoficial on Instagram, Mauricio Durán showcases his pedalboard during the "Ven Aquí" tour 2023-2024, which includes the Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII.

See how Paul Wilson uses Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII

Paul Wilson

Bassist, Composer

Snow Patrol

...
Verified via Photo

According to this photo, Wilson also has Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII.

See how Paul Rudolph uses Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII

Paul Rudolph

Singer, Guitarist

Hawkwind

...
Verified via It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine

In this It’s Psychedelic Baby magazine article from 2024, Paul Rudolph says he used a “SolaSound fuzz box…” in The Deviants.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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25 alternative and related items for Sola Sound Tone Bender Professional MKII, curated by the Equipboard community.

Ramble FX Twin Bender V3

$300.00

Vintage or Discontinued similar sound cheaper alternative

Two takes on the classic Sola Sound Tone Bender in one, the Ramble FX Twin Bender boasts double the circuitry in one compact chassis, lending you the sounds of Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, and more. With the flick of a switch, the Twin Bender can alternate between the MKII and MK1.5 circuitry, the latter of which uses one less transistor for a cleaner, clearer sound.

Warm Audio Warm Bender

$156.00 - $249.00

similar sound cheaper alternative

On the NOS 75 setting, the Warm Bender is a copy of the MKII Tone Bender circuit.

EarthQuaker Devices Barrows Fuzz Attacker

$119.00 - $155.00

similar sound cheaper alternative mod

The Barrows Fuzz Attacker is an ultra compact, modernized take on the Tone Bender MKII, featuring a phase corrected and buffered output section, and additional volume on tap.

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